Nick Saban's hot mic moment reveals true thoughts on Cowboys pick: 'This is a reach'

Nick Saban's hot mic moment reveals true thoughts on Cowboys pick: 'This is a reach' originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Fresh off a campaign than saw the Cowboys surrender more yards and points than any other side in the league, the directive was clear for Dallas' front office ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft: get defenders and get a lot of them.

The Cowboys obliged, taking two defensive players in the first round. Caleb Downs was the headliner, adding star-power to a Cowboys secondary that looked ragged for much of the 2025 season. With Dallas' second pick, it sought an answer to the problems that have plagued its front seven since it dealt Micah Parsons: a lack of sacks.

The Cowboys selected UCF EDGE Malachi Lawrence with the No. 23 pick in the draft. Their decision proved a surprise for a great many evaluators, including former Alabama boss and current ESPN analyst Nick Saban.

Here's what you need to know about Saban's reaction to the Lawrence pick, one which figures to live on in infamy. 2026 NFL DRAFT HQ: Live tracker | Pick-by-pick grades | Best players still available Nick Saban hot-mic moment, explained In Downs, the Cowboys collected one of Saban's many acolytes, a gifted talent expected to shine at the next level. Saban's assessment of the Lawrence pick was a little less rosy.